Los Angeles Employment Lawyer

Los Angeles Employment Law Attorney

Have your employee rights been violated at your workplace in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Orange County, San Bernardino, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura or elsewhere in California? Hiring a talented Los Angeles employment lawyer is vital.

The skilled employment law attorneys of the Law Offices of Reisner & King LLP protect those rights every day when workers are harassed, discriminated against, retaliated against or denied overtime, wages or rest and meal periods they are entitled to receive.

Our Sherman Oaks law firm also aggressively advocates for employees on protected leaves of absence for disability, pregnancy disability or baby bonding as provided by the California Family Rights Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act, bereavement, jury duty and other California protected leaves.

Call us today at 818-981-0901 for a free consultation.

Strong And Experienced Advocates For Employees

We believe that employees deserve fair treatment in the workplace. Our law firm represents employees only, not employers.

Reisner & King LLP can address these and other employment law problems:

• Discrimination — We represent people from all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, whenever employers’ disparate treatment impacts their careers and lives.
• Harassment — When sexual misconduct, quid pro quo, hostile work environment and other verbal, physical or visual harassment take place at work, we advocate for employees who have suffered harm. We strive to seek a fair and reasonable value to fully and completely compensate the aggrieved employee for the harm they suffered.
• Whistleblower claims — Our attorneys stand by employees who face retaliation after calling attention to unlawful misconduct or wrongdoing by their employer, including raising health and safety concerns, violence, wage, overtime and break violations, fraud, and other illegal conduct.
• Wage and overtime claims — Employees who are denied breaks, who are not compensated for overtime work, who face long-term wage issues and who have other compensatory issues have an advocate at our firm. Employees who Suffer or Permit to Work must be fully compensated under the laws of California.
• Reimbursement of expenses — Under California Labor Code Section 2802, employees must receive reimbursement for all work-related expenses incurred in the course of business, including mileage, supplies and training expenses.
• Failure to notify employees about layoffs — We seek compensation for employees when employers fail to comply with federal and California WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) laws concerning layoffs and plant closings.
• Employment agreements — We advise employees and provide services regarding employment contracts, severance agreements, noncompete agreements and nondisclosure agreements.

Why Do I Need an Employment Attorney?

It can be difficult to determine what your next course of action might be when you’re considering filing a claim against your employer. A lawyer can help advise you on the next steps you should consider taking. Whether you need to file a complaint or a claim, an attorney can also help make sure it’s filed correctly the first time to avoid costly errors and timely mistakes.

Most cases surrounding employment law have strict deadlines attached. Depending on the type of case, filing could be required within a few years of the incident occurring. Complaints require an even faster response. The longer a claim takes to file, the greater likelihood that you can miss important dates, making the case invalid. This is why it is so important to consult with a Los Angeles employment lawyer about when you need to file.

What Rights Do I Have as an Employee?

Many employees do not understand their rights, which prevents them from receiving proper treatment or benefits. Although there are some exceptions, independent contractors typically must have more freedom than employees, and the work must be considered different from the typical work performed by the business. This distinction is important because employees are usually given greater benefits than contractors, including things like:

• Wage Limits: Minimum wage law outlines the lowest amount an employee can be paid for their work. It also requires employers to pay an increased rate for employees who work over 40 hours a week or 12 hours a day, with some exceptions.
• Breaks: Employees also must receive breaks after working for certain periods of time. If the employer does not provide a meal break, they must provide their employee with an additional hour of pay at their normal rate. If the employee is eligible for a break, the employer can’t pressure them to skip it or require them to remain at their work site for the duration of the break.
• Leave Time: Things like illness, maternity, bereavement, Jury Duty, and voting have protected leave times for employees. For more long-term leave like maternity, there are additional requirements to protect those leaving from facing issues when they return to work.
• Protection Against Discrimination: Employees are also expected to work in an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Discrimination is associated with membership of a protected class, including age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or ethnicity, military or veteran status, and religion. Harassment includes things like requiring an employee to perform certain inappropriate acts or making them feel like their safety is being threatened.

Other Common Workplace Issues

Working any job has its challenges, but sometimes, there’s a difference between an inconvenience and a violation of the law. Several instances are commonly disputed in the realm of employment law, including drug testing, tip pooling, and more.

California has unique laws surrounding drug use in the workplace. It is normally acceptable for a workplace to test applicants, but there are certain instances in which drug tests can be illegally administered, especially if someone was singled out. Employers cannot discriminate against employees for using marijuana outside of work.

One item that is uniquely protected in California is vacation time. In other states, employers are allowed to let vacation time expire if it does not get used within a certain timeframe. In California, employers can establish a limit on how much time you can store before using it, but any time you already have cannot be eliminated after a certain time period.

Tip pooling is also a contentious issue. Tips may be split between employees, but any managers or owners are not allowed to be included in a tip pool. Servers are also generally expected to receive the most in tips, with other positions receiving a lesser amount. Even if an owner or manager provides table service, they are still not allowed to participate in a tip pool.

While these are some common issues seen in employment law, this list is by no means conclusive. If you believe that you are not being treated fairly as an employee, it is a good idea to review your situation with an employment attorney to see what your legal options are.

Protect Your Rights At Your California Workplace

Do you have questions about your rights as an employee? Your first step toward the safeguarding of your interests is a free initial consultation. Contact us today at 818-981-0901 or send an email message. Spanish and Armenian language translation services are available upon request.

FAQs

Q: What Are My Rights as an Employee in California?

A: As an employee in California, you have numerous rights. You are eligible to receive a minimum wage and mandatory rest and meal breaks, depending on the industry and how long you work. They also have protections to protect California employees from workplace harassment or discrimination. If an employee is injured while working, they might be able to receive benefits through their company’s workers’ compensation.

Q: Who Does California Employment Law Apply to?

A: Generally, California employment law only applies to individuals who are considered employees rather than independent contractors. Independent contractors usually perform their work with more freedom than traditional employees do, but this comes with fewer protections and benefits. In some cases, employers misclassify their employees as independent contractors in order to avoid providing benefits.

Q: How Do I File a Complaint Against My Employer in California?

A: In order to file a complaint against your employer in California, you would file it with the state’s labor board. If you are filing a complaint of wage or hour violations, the claim would be filed with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, or DLSE. If the complaint is about workplace discrimination or harassment, then it would be filed with the Civil Rights Department (CRD).

Q: What Are the New Employment Laws in California 2024?

A: California recently passed several new laws pertaining to employees in 2024, including increasing the minimum wage and increasing wages for healthcare workers. There were also laws mandating compensation for sick leave, parental leave, and additional regulations around working from home and requiring an employee to return to the office. For more information on recent changes to California’s employment law, contact an employment attorney.

Learn How to File a Claim Against Your Employer

Employment law can be overwhelming to navigate, especially if you are an employee considering filing a complaint. Schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of Reisner & King LLP to discover your options and determine whether filing a claim could work for your circumstances.